This course is designed to develop an understanding of the administrative support role and the skills necessary to provide organizational and technical support in a contemporary office setting. It emphasizes the development of critical thinking, problem solving, and job performance skills in a business office environment.

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the changing workplace and determine how you may work effectively in this workplace.
• Succeed in the workplace by behaving ethically, controlling stress and anger, and managing your time.
• Communicate effectively through verbal, nonverbal, and written formats.
• Use telecommunications hardware effectively.
• Use records technology effectively.
• Apply financial analysis to organizational and personal venues.
• Plan meetings and make travel arrangements.
• Develop job search and leadership skills.

The required textbook for this course is:

• Procedures & Theory for Administrative Professionals w/WebTutor access code, 6th edition, Fulton- Calkins.  Thomson-SouthWestern publishing.
• Workbook for Procedures & Theory for Administrative Professionals, 6th edition, Fulton-Calkins.  Thomson-SouthWestern publishing.

For information on how to order your textbooks, go to http://eli.nvcc.edu/books/

Your course grade will be determined by the assignments and exams, according to the following points:

There are 4 exams in this course. You are expected to take your examinations at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.  

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

For information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.

I am here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact me when they do:

E-mail : dmickey@nvcc.edu,
Telephone : ( 703) 878-5631.
You may also call me to schedule a meeting in person, either at ELI or my campus office in Woodbridge. 

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.